The Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris brought with them waves of heartfelt support, controversial social media posts, and discussions of the superiority of Western lives. I am proud to be a part of a generation that raises these essential questions amid times of conflict, but I also cringe at the finger pointing of friends in a time that should call for unity.
The difficult aspect of tragedy is that we cannot always control the extent to which our hearts ache for one over another based on our past personal experiences. While my pain for the attacks in Paris was minimal compared to those who lost loved ones, the news nevertheless hit too close to home as I carry each of my homes - Paris being one - always in my heart.
The French live with a sense of simplicity that I have never experienced in America. Before the terrorist attack in January on Charlie Hebdo, the doors to my old, French university stood freely open. No ID scanning mechanisms or verification measures were required. You could feel a degree of societal trust while walking down the streets, knowing that each individual had a duty to look out for their fellow Parisians and any others visiting their city. The French even have a law - “non-assistance à personnes en danger,” or the deliberate non-assistance to a person in danger - which has consequences of time spent in prison and hefty fines. They take the safety of their people seriously, but are able to place some of this responsibility on the citizens.
After Charlie Hebdo, the welcoming wooden doors of our school were kept guarded by security, and required a school ID to enter the premises. Other entrances were closed altogether. France was not afraid, but it was guarded by necessity. My fear is now for the future of France that it will be forced to adopt America’s obsessive measures in the form of waivers, fob scanners, and ID flashing as proof for any admittance.
Safety is undoubtedly crucial, but my heart yearns for the cultural melting pot in Paris that centers around this societal trust. So, this weekend, I shed tears for the lost lives in Paris, but also stood in solidarity with those in Baghdad, Beirut, and all over the world. "Breaking the bread" with other cultures must remain valued so that we feel this beautiful interconnectedness with all lives, not only those in Paris, not only those portrayed in our media, and not only those publicly mourned by our corporations. "La paix pour tout le monde."
